Mumps - The Facts

Mumps - The Facts

What are mumps?

Did you know that mumps is now considered mainly a childhood disease. But it
used to be known as a disease afflicting armies. Mumps was one of the leading
causes of hospitalization during World War I.

Before vaccines, mumps was a common childhood disease. The most obvious sign
of mumps is swelling of the cheeks and jaw, which is caused by inflammation in
the salivary glands. Children with mumps usually also get a fever and headache.
Generally, mumps is a mild disease, but it does have its serious side:

About 1 child in every 10 who gets mumps also gets
meningitis (an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord).

Occasionally mumps also causes encephalitis, which is
inflammation of the brain itself. Usually the child recovers without permanent
damage.

About 1 out of every 4 teenage or adult men who get
mumps develops a painful swelling of the testicles.